The Best Puppy Schools in Wellington

Updated 9 Sept 2020

A puppy is a wonderful addition to the family, but, as you probably know, there is plenty of hard work ahead. You need to make sure your puppy is well-trained if you are to enjoy it to the full, and a Puppy School is a recommended course of action.

Many Wellington Puppy Schools offer their services, but how do you know you are choosing the right one? There are several factors you need to consider; our guide explains how to choose the best Puppy School in Wellington.

Our Wellington puppy school guide covers:

How Much Does a Puppy School Cost?

The rate you pay for your puppy training will vary between different puppy schools. There are two options you can choose from to get your puppy trained, these being group classes, usually run by pet shops or similar organisations; and private puppy schools, many of which come recommended.

Here’s a general guide to what you can expect to pay:

Group Classes - $130 to $250 (for a four-class to six-class course)
Private Puppy Trainer - $100 upwards per session

Be aware that these prices are intended as a general guide, and much will depend on what you want from your puppy training course.

How Can I Get the Best Price for Puppy School?

Decide Which of the Above You Need Upfront - it may be that you think a four-session group course and your home training will be enough (you can ask your dog breeder their opinion). By deciding upfront, you lock in the cost. If, after that, you feel as if some private training is needed, you can arrange that.
Take a Trial Class - Attend a class to observe, with or without your puppy, to ensure you feel comfortable with their methods. This avoids committing yourself to multi-session training if you don't think the school or style is for you.
Look for Discounts – many providers offer discounts for committing to a block of sessions, say 6 or 12.
Stay Local – local means you'll be able to get to a group class with less hassle, so you're likely to miss one if traffic is bad or if you don't have the energy.

Know This - A Good Puppy School will be Open about their Requirements:

They will check your puppy has up to date vaccinations
They will ask information about your puppy and where you bought it will be required
They will need your pet’s medical history and your vet’s name

Before You Settle on a Puppy School, Consider the Following:

Find out the qualifications of the instructors leading the course
Find out how long the school has been operating, and the range of training they offer
Whether the premises where training takes place clean and appropriate
Do they train using a set routine, or does it vary between breeds?
Talk to the trainer and see whether you get on with them – and ensure your dog does also

Once you have all these questions answered, you should be able to decide upon the type of training you want for your puppy and choose the right Wellington Puppy School for you and your puppy.

10 Trusted Puppy Schools Accepting New Dogs Right Now

Our list below, which is no particular order, covers puppy schools in Wellington. We have selected these based on their reputation among dog owners within Wellington; our data has been extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others sources.

No puppy school has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with any puppy school below.

Paws in the City

Paws in the City is a dog daycare and puppy preschool that also provides grooming and training services to dogs of all sizes and breed. Their qualified dog handlers have at least 35 years of local and international experience.
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Base: Kaiwharawhaura Road and Hutt Road Wellington
Website: Paws in the City
Facebook page: Paws in the City
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 04 472 7921
What customers like:

Passionate and caring staff
Dogs look their best after visits
Professional and excellent service
Committed to the wellbeing of the dogs in their care